Victoria Beckham called in a money expert to evaluate the family's finances and the accountant told them they were throwing money away by hiring so much staff!

The Beckhams were told that they wasted hundreds of thousands a year on staff they don't exactly need at their homes in England, LA, Dubai and France.

A source reveals:

"This very no-nonsense accountant gave it to Vic straight and said, 'You CAN afford to employ all of these people. But why the hell DO you?' Once the accountant pointed out the level of staffing was not required Vic pushed the button.

"There has been a large downsize. David and Victoria are multi-millionaires but that doesn't mean they have to waste money - and they were hemorrhaging it."

The chief gardener at Beckingham palace is now also their chauffeur and they also sacked a housekeeper to replace her with two "cost efficient" foreign staff. Six gardeners were also let go of seven at their French estate. Overall they fired 14 of their 50 workers worldwide.